What is Google My Business and Why Every Business Should Use It?

Getting your business noticed online can be difficult, especially with the many businesses that exist in your niche. For a business to stand out from the crowd, it has to be visible online. Therefore, Google My Business (GMB) is an essential tool for any business- whether small or large. It provides a potential customer with up-to-date business information like business name, location, contact information, reviews, and much more. In this blog, we will explain everything you need to know about Google My Business, how it works, and why it is important for businesses to use it.

What is Google My Business?

Google My Business is a free marketing tool from Google that helps businesses to show up on Google search and Maps. It provides a business owner with a platform to control how their business appears on their Google listing. Google My Business is an integrated platform that provides a variety of ways to showcase your business to potential customers. With Google My Business, businesses can manage their business information and display it online. It’s a valuable resource for businesses to improve their online presence.

Why use Google My Business?

Google My Business allows businesses to have more control over their online presence. By using Google My business, businesses have the ability to claim and manage their online profile, control how they appear in the search engine result pages (SERP), and attract more customers. It is a user-friendly platform that provides businesses with the ability to update their profile for free. Businesses can include information like their hours of operation, their address, and their website link, making it easier for their customers to find them. It also allows customers to leave reviews, which can build customer trust and increase sales.

Why is it important Google My Business?

Google My Business provides businesses with the ability to build credibility, increase visibility in local search, and increase their website’s traffic, which results in more sales. Optimizing your Google My Business profile can lead to an increase in store visits, calls, and website clicks. Since the platform is free to use, businesses can create and manage their profiles for free. Google My Business also provides businesses with insights into how their listing is performing and how their customers interact with their profile. Therefore, it is crucial for businesses to claim their listing and optimize their profile to make the most out of this platform.

How does it work?

Google uses a variety of information about a business from across the web and compiles it into a multi-faceted listing. Google My Business works by gathering essential information about a business and displaying it in the Google Knowledge Panel, including primary business details like name, address, phone number, website, along with reviews, photos, and posts. COVID-19 updates can also be included. The more accurate the information is, the more likely your business will appear on Google’s “local 3 pack,” which is the top three results shown when you search for businesses in a particular area.

Examples

A great example of a business that benefits from Google My Business is a restaurant. When searching for a restaurant nearby, customers want to know where to go and how to get there. A restaurant that has updated its profile, optimized its posts with keywords, and included fantastic pictures will have a better chance of catching the customer’s attention. Through Google My Business, the business can also receive reviews, and replying to them will show potential customers that the restaurant is accommodating.

Common Questions and answers

How do I claim my Google My Business listing?

Go to google.com/business and click on the ‘Start Now’ button. Enter all the necessary details about your business and follow the steps until the verification process is complete.

What are the benefits of using Google My Business?

The benefits include increased visibility on Google Search and Maps, the ability to manage your online reputation via reviews, control over your business information, insights into your company’s Google presence, and more.

Google My Business is an essential tool that helps businesses to grow their online presence and reach their target audience. By optimizing a profile, businesses can showcase their professionalism, credibility, and offerings, ultimately leading to more sales. By understanding what Google My Business is, why businesses should use it, and how it works, you can confidently create or manage a profile that will help your business succeed.